Updated ASE Guidelines on Echocardiographic Evaluation of LV Diastolic Function and HFpEF
Updated ASE Guidelines on Echocardiographic Evaluation of LV Diastolic Function and HFpEF
Source: American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)
Published: July 2025
Reference: Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, July 2025 Issue
Key Summary Points
1. Purpose of the Update:
• The ASE released a new guideline titled:
“Recommendations for the Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function by Echocardiography and for Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Diagnosis.”
• This guideline replaces the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations and provides enhanced diagnostic algorithms for evaluating LV diastolic function and HFpEF.
2. Clinical Relevance:
• Diastolic dysfunction is a critical component in patients presenting with dyspnea or suspected heart failure.
• Accurate echocardiographic assessment enables earlier and more precise HFpEF diagnosis, reducing reliance on invasive hemodynamic assessment.
3. Key Updates:
• New Parameters: Incorporates advanced variables such as left atrial (LA) strain, LA volume, and their association with LV filling pressures.
• Population-Based Recommendations:
• Separate guidance for:
• General population
• Special subgroups (e.g., atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, transplant patients)
• AI and Imaging Innovations:
• Includes recommendations on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in echocardiographic interpretation.
• Offers new non-invasive algorithms for estimating LA pressure and grading diastolic dysfunction.
• Prognostic Utility: Cites data from epidemiological studies showing predictive value of diastolic echo markers for incident heart failure.
4. Impact on Practice:
• Aims to:
• Improve diagnostic accuracy
• Enable earlier HFpEF detection
5. Expert Quote:
• Dr. Sherif F. Nagueh, chair of the writing group:
“The updated guidelines will help physicians caring for patients with heart failure reach a timely diagnosis and decrease the need for cardiac catheterization to determine pressures in the left heart.”
Access:
Full document available at: www.ASEcho.org/Guidelines:
